includes the galapagos or bush babies 24h 24

The decision by Kosovo’s parliament to form a national army was described by the UN Peacekeeping chief on Monday as having “further deteriorated relations between Belgrade and Pristina,” which, he said, have been strained for some time.

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said it was “crucial that Belgrade and Pristina avoid any steps that could further worsen the situation” following a series of steps that have heightened tensions in the region and called on both sides to “find ways to re-engage in the dialogue aimed at the normalization of their mutual relations.”

Lacroix told the Security Council today (17 Dec) that following Kosovo’s failed bid to join INTERPOL, the government of Kosovo announced an increase of the tariff on goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina from ten to 100 percent. Belgrade, for its part, stated that Pristina had violated the Central European Free Trade Agreement and stressed that it would only resume its involvement in the EU-facilitated dialogue once Pristina revokes the import tax. Furthermore, He said Kosovo adopted three laws on 14 December which made substantial changes, to be implemented over a period of time, to the mandate, role and strength of the Kosovo Security Force.

Briefing by Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, on the situation in the Middle East.

U N Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov said the expansion of Israeli settlements has “no legal effect and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, as stated in Security Council resolution 2334” adding that it “must cease immediately and completely.”

Reporting to the Security Council on the implementation of Resolution 2334, Mladenov said no steps have been taken to cease settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as called for by the Resolution. He said Israeli authorities advanced, approved or tendered nearly 6,000 housing units in the occupied territory, including for 550 units in East Jerusalem.

SOUNDBITE (English) Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations:
“During the Israeli election campaign, statements were made by some politicians e pressing support for the unilateral annexation of all or parts of the West Bank. Such a prospect would be devastating to the potential of reviving negotiations, regional peace, and the very essence of the two-state solution.”

The Special Coordinator said demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures by Israeli authorities also continued across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, resulting in the displacement of 104 people.

Mladenov said the situation in Gaza continued to be “perilous, with the persistent threat of another major escalation and the continued suffering of the population.” He added, “It is tragic and unacceptable that people continue to be killed and injured unnecessarily during demonstrations, by indiscriminate rocket attacks or by other hostile acts.” He stressed that the launching of rockets and mortars towards Israeli civilian populations is prohibited by international humanitarian law and called on Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to cease this practice immediately. He noted that Israeli security forces have the responsibility to exercise restraint and should only use lethal force against demonstrators when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.

SOUNDBITE (English) Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations:
“I unequivocally condemn all attacks on Palestinian and Israeli civilians, call on all to refrain from violence and on leaders to clearly condemn such acts when they occur, as called for by resolution 2334. All perpetrators must be held accountable for their crimes.”

Mladenov took note of the upcoming workshop convened by the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain, to discuss the potential for economic investments and initiatives that would be made possible by a future Palestinian-Israeli peace agreement and a solution to the final status issues. He underscored that while humanitarian and economic support for the population is crucial to creating an environment conducive for viable negotiations, “the conflict cannot be resolved through economic measures alone. Such steps can only complement a legitimate political process that ends the occupation and addresses all final status issues in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.”